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ASSOCIATE EDITOR DAVID ARNOUTS: The Acura TL continues to surprise as it evolves in its current fourth generation.

The outside has grown in appearance with a more regal exterior. It retains the hard lines and sharp edges, but for me, it doesn't arouse my interest like the third-generation Type S.

Under the skin is where the money is well spent. Other editors have claimed the Acura manual transmission is one of the best transmissions on the market—if not the best—and I cannot disagree. The clutch is buttery smooth and the shifts are easy. When driving, if you keep the revs low, it's quiet and subtle. Drop down a couple gears, and let the 3.7-liter V6—only available with the SH-AWD model—rev up, and you'll be surprised how muscular this car can sound and feel.

There is no shortage of gadgets and do-dads in the interior. The in-dash navigation has a great traffic feature, which helped me plan my route into work on the fly around the never-ending road construction season in metro Detroit.

The dash and interface are, for my tastes, a little busy, and if you aren't expecting it, a touch overwhelming. There are buttons, and buttons for buttons, and buttons that repeat and buttons that look good. They all function, and as they are labeled, but it does take a few minutes to acclimate yourself to what seems like the dash of a Boeing 747.

The ride is pliant and has the standard “executive feel” I have come to expect from this segment. It doesn't wallow like some; it handles well and leaves the driver feeling connected without the drama of a super-tight high-performance suspension.

The only negative way of noticing the all-wheel drive is when you are filling up at the gas station. While the mileage is good, it isn't great. A little lower than I expected.

It would be a great sedan to drive in the winter with the all-wheel-drive option. But there isn't much need for it here unless the snow is flying.

The increased fuel consumption is a small price to pay for the additional control and command the AWD offers.

The price didn't shock me terribly. It felt like it belonged in the $40K ballpark. But if Acura can keep the price stable, or even lower the price into the high $30K mark, I think they'll sell quite a few.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: The 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD has the best factory shifter on the market hands down. I had to let a few friends row through the gears from the passenger seat just to see how it feels. The throw is extremely short and the knob fits snugly inside my hand. It really makes you want to work the gears, whether you need to or not.

Thank God Acura has been slowly distancing itself from the beak look of previous years. I'd say the TL is almost good-looking now. The rear and side views are fine, slick even. But the dead-on front view still needs a little tweaking in my eyes.

Inside, the TL is gorgeous. The heated leather seats are comfortable and supportive. All the materials are soft-touch and it's a really a nice place be while cruising around. It reminds me a lot of our long-term Volvo S60 R-Design, though it's a bit slower; but the prices match up perfectly.

Power is acceptable from the 3.7-liter V6, but not outstanding. The 305 ponies move the car well, but I could ask for just a bit more gusto when shifting into fourth on the expressway. Dave returned 18 mpg over the weekend, which is about what I expected. It does take off like a rocket, and it'll chirp the tires through a few cogs.

The ride is a good mix of comfort and handling. I only winced a few times over large potholes that I couldn't avoid. I'd bet the higher curb weight helps in that area. The car feels sticky and solid through corners, but offers some give when you really need it.

Put this shifter in our Volvo and you have one of the best powertrain setups in the world for under $40,000.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: The TL is a terrific mix of sportiness and luxury, with more emphasis on the sportiness, and that's all right with me. Two things for me stand out in the TL: terrific seats and one of the best manual shifters anywhere. The shifter action is machined precision—think the kind of precise action of a bolt on a rifle. It slots in perfectly, with a nice short throw. And the shift knob fits perfectly in the palm of my hand. This kind of tactile sensation brings another level of enjoyment to the car.

Likewise, the leather in the seats feels terrific, once again giving you the sensation of sitting in a very high-quality environment. The fact that the seats are so comfortable and supportive, especially when you are pushing the car around, makes it even better.

The V6 underhood loves to be driven hard—and it rewards you for living up in the rpm stratosphere—and the AWD drive system puts all the horsepower to ground, pulling the car out of corners like it's on rails.

Looks aside—I still don't like the sharp angles on the car—the TL is a terrific driver.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The TL is a rewarding premium driver with more than a tinge of sporty ethos. It really all begins with this shifter, which is smooth, agreeable and interactive. It makes the driver really want to shift well and be engaged. The clutch feel is good, and the throws are true. The engine is decent, though not blindingly powerful. The manual helps make the most of the 305-hp mojo, however, and it sure loves to rev.

I found the steering to be a bit light—I'd like more weight. The TL also drives big, almost unexpectedly so, and it didn't feel particularly cat-like on the road to me. The chassis is above average but doesn't stand out.

The looks inside and out are also just OK, with some dramatic highlights and a few blander elements. I had a hard time finding the correct seating position in this rig, though that would probably have come with time. The seats almost felt a bit large for a guy like me of average build. The burners were outstanding, though, and the materials looked and presented well. I found the center stack to be way too busy, with an abundance of buttons. I also noticed some gaudy blind spots, too.

The body has nice lines and curves, and I like the grille. It's not a head-turner but is rather handsome in general.

Overall, I liked the TL. It looks and drivers in a manner that will please many premium-seeking buyers who also like a degree of sport. Still, there are others I'd choose in this segment before the Acura.

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Compared to what this current-generation TL looked like when it first debuted, the mild redo it received for the 2012 model year looks a whole lot better. With the new front and rear fascia treatments, it looks cleaner compared to the really wild and crazy angles it had before. To top things off, it's also more aerodynamic.

Jake mentioned that he thought the shifter in this TL is the best factory shifter on the market, but I have to disagree. It's darn good and in the top three or four, but the best manual shifter without a doubt is found in the TSX. End of story.

Also mentioned above by numerous staffers are the TL's excellent seats. In my opinion, Acura has some of the best seats in the business throughout its lineup. From the TSX and this TL to its trucks like the MDX and RDX, the seats are always comfortable and supportive. Continuing in the interior, the ELS sound system remains one of my favorite factory-equipped units with crisp and clear sound quality. For those quibbling about the busy center stack, spend another night or two with them and you'll get used to them in a hurry.

As for the drive, the TL strikes a pleasing middle ground between sporty and comfort. It handles bends with remarkable composure with well-weighted steering feel and quick response, though I have to agree with Greg about the steering wheel weight being on the light side. Body motions are always kept in check and ride quality is comfortable enough. Yes, bigger road bumps will be felt, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to live with for improved cornering ability.

I'm also a big fan of the SH-AWD system, which is overshadowed by Audi's quattro system in the marketplace. I guess you could call it the Rodney Dangerfield of all-wheel-drive systems because it doesn't get “no respect.”

The sad news is that I hear murmurs that the next TL won't be offered with a manual transmission, which is a shame because, like we said, it's one of the best on the market. Of course, that rumor could turn out to be false, which I hope is the case.

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech

Base Price: $43,770

As-Tested Price: $43,770

Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; AWD, six-speed manual

Output: 305 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 273 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,889 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 20/18.7 mpg

Options: None

For more information: Check out the 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech at shopautoweek.com.